Handover Time Raster for XR Network Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Handover interruptions in communication networks, particularly in extended reality (XR) applications, cause packet or frame losses, affecting quality of service and performance due to uncertainties in timing and duration of interruptions during handovers.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a time raster that indicates eligible time instants for handover messaging based on radio access network and core network traffic, allowing for controlled and synchronized downlink and uplink communication to minimize interruptions during handovers, using a Dual Active Protocol Stack (DAPS) to maintain simultaneous data transmission from source and target cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If handover messaging is performed during network communication, then mobility and connectivity are maintained, but interruptions and packet losses occur affecting quality of service
Solution Approach 1:
The source network node determines eligible time instants for handover messaging in advance, before the actual handover execution. By pre-identifying suitable time slots based on traffic patterns and network conditions, the system prepares the handover timing beforehand, allowing the mobile device to synchronize its random access procedure with these predetermined eligible times, thereby minimizing interruptions to ongoing data transmission
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically determines eligible time instants for handover messaging based on current network conditions, traffic patterns, and service requirements. The time raster is not fixed but adapts to changing network states, allowing the handover process to be timed optimally according to real-time conditions, thus reducing packet losses while maintaining mobility
2Ease of operation
If handover is executed to maintain mobility, then connectivity is preserved, but packet losses and service interruptions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The source network node sends the determined eligible time instants to the mobile device, which then uses this information to time its random access procedure accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures the mobile device aligns its handover actions with network-determined optimal times, creating a coordinated handover process that maintains mobility while minimizing service interruptions through synchronized timing
3Reliability
If random access procedure is performed during handover, then target cell connection is established, but timing uncertainties cause packet losses
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the timing parameter of the random access procedure by restricting it to specific eligible time instants rather than allowing arbitrary timing. The mobile device adjusts its random access transmission to occur only at these predetermined times, transforming an uncontrolled timing parameter into a controlled one, thereby eliminating timing uncertainties that cause packet losses while maintaining reliable connection establishment
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an apparatus for a network node comprising means for making a decision on a handover, HO, and means for determining a time raster indicating eligible time instants for HO messaging during a network communication. The eligible time instants are based on at least one of: a radio access network, RAN, traffic and a core network, CN. The apparatus further comprises means for sending a HO request message including the timer raster.